Biofeedback electronic stimulation device using light and magnetic energy

ABSTRACT

A biofeedback stimulation device includes a user interface for providing at least one input signal. A processor generates at least one control signal responsive to the at least one input signal. Circuitry within the biofeedback stimulation device enables application of both an electric stimulation signal and a light stimulation signal to a body of an individual. The application of the electrical stimulation signal and the light stimulation signal are controlled by the at least one control signal provided by the processor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/799,995, filed May 12, 2006, entitled BIOFEEDBACK STIMULATIONDEVICE USING LIGHT AND MAGNETIC ENERGY, and is a continuation in part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/203,387 filed on Aug. 12, 2005entitled BIOFEEDBACK STIMULATION DEVICE, which is incorporated herein byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to the field of pain management systems, and moreparticularly, to biofeedback stimulation devices and the use of photonicand magnetic radiation simulation.

BACKGROUND

There are many people with injuries and ailments that are related toenergy. Examples include sprained ankles, carpal tunnel syndrome,arthritis, and numbness of extremities like neuropathy, stroke, andneurology conditions such as ADD and macular degeneration. These are allailments that the human body must work to recover from. They are notviruses or infections or other chemically related ailments. They are notinstances where surgery has proven effective such as reattaching bonesor ligaments or other body parts, or clearing arteries.

Energetic medicine addresses these energy related ailments. There hasbeen much research into energetic medicine, and the way the body'selectric and nervous system works dating back to the 1900s. Devices havebeen developed such as the Rife machine, Beck's Box, infrared lighttherapies, and magnetic therapies used in energetic medicine. There arediagnostic tools such as MEAD machines, which measure resistance in thebody's energetic pathways called energy meridians. There are treatmentmachines in the category of TENS and electronic acupuncture.

SUMMARY

The present invention, as disclosed and described herein, on one aspectthereof, comprises a biofeedback stimulation device. The biofeedbackstimulation device includes a user interface for providing at least oneinput signal. A processor generates at least one control signalresponsive to the at least one input signal. Circuitry enables anapplication of both an electrical stimulation signal and a lightstimulation signal to a body of an individual, wherein the applicationof the electric stimulation signal and the light stimulation signal arecontrolled by the at least one control signal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention and theadvantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a biofeedback stimulation device of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the transformer circuit and associatedtransformer shunt;

FIG. 2 a is a schematic diagram of the level translator circuitry;

FIG. 3 a-3 b is a schematic diagram of the microcontroller of thedevice;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the detector circuit of the device;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the manner in which the controlprocessor operates within the device to provide control signals;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the feedback control loop of thebiofeedback stimulation device;

FIG. 7 illustrates the stimulation signal generated by the biofeedbackstimulation device, and the various manners in which the packets andpulses may be controlled; and

FIGS. 8 a-8 d illustrate various output signals of the biofeedbackstimulation device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers are usedherein to designate like elements throughout the various views,embodiments of the present invention are illustrated and described, andother possible embodiments of the present invention are described. Thefigures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances thedrawings have been exaggerated and/or simplified in places forillustrative purposes only. One of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate the many possible applications and variations of the presentinvention based on the following examples of possible embodiments of thepresent invention.

The present invention relates to an electronic device capable oftreating pain, such as from inflammation, numbness, tension, injuriesand ailments, using biofeedback stimulation to treat the area. Thedevice includes operating modes and controls such that the treatment canbe modified as necessary. The device treats the body's electrical systemthrough the application of unique treatment protocols that vary based onthe body's own response. The treatment protocols are comprised ofcombinations of unique waveforms, frequencies and patterns, as well asvarious wavelengths of light, and magnetic energy.

The device may be composed of a printed circuit board containingelectronic components, switches and selectors, a microprocessor, aconnector jack for attaching external probes, a set of instructionsstored in the microprocessor and a pair of electrodes for delivering theelectronic signals to the body and sensing the body's response, aplurality of light sources and one or more light sensors.

The device may provide electronic stimulation to the body usingselectable treatment protocols, comprised of combinations of uniquewaveforms, frequencies and patterns, that are varied based on theresponse received from the body. The device may relieve pain, by theapplication of biofeedback stimulation, and direct the body's ownresources to promote healing and relief. The device may deliver thebiofeedback stimulation in a portable and economical device.

The device may provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in anapparatus for the purposes described which is safe, inexpensive,dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a block diagram of thebiofeedback stimulation device of the present invention. The deviceincludes a circuit board 102 for containing each of the electroniccomponents. The controlling portion of the device consists of amicroprocessor 104. The microprocessor 104 contains a set of storedinstructions for controlling the operation of the biofeedback device.The microprocessor 104 in conjunction with other components of thedevice which will be discussed herein below generate output pulsepackets for application to an individual's body. The microprocessor 104is interconnected with a number of components on the circuit board 102from which the microprocessor 104 receives inputs from and providesoutputs to. An on/off switch 106 provides the user with the ability toturn the entire biofeedback stimulation device on and off. The on/offswitch 106 may comprise a standard push button switch or a conventionaltwo position switch in order to place the device in powered andnon-powered states. A connector jack 108 enables external probes to beconnected to the biofeedback stimulation device. The device alsoincludes a USB port 110 to enable universal serial bus connections tothe microprocessor 104. Through the USB connection 110, a USBcommunications cable may be connected to enable USB communicationsbetween the microprocessor 104 and an external device.

A pair of electrodes 112 provide a stimulation signal from the outputcircuitry 114 and provide a connection point between the biofeedbackstimulation device and a body of a user. The output electrodes 112connect the device to a point on a body of a user. The pair ofelectrodes 112 additionally provide an input for measuring a body'sresponse to the applied electric signals through the electrodes 112. Theoutput electrodes 112 may have associated therewith outputs of a lightemitting circuit 140. The output may be on or surrounding the electrodes112. A connector 116 enables a battery 118 to be interconnected to thebiofeedback stimulation device to power the microcontroller 104 andassociated circuitry. The power level selector 120 enables a user toadjust the power level applied to a transformer 122 within the outputcircuitry 114 by the microprocessor 104 to various levels. The appliedpower level alters the strength of the stimulation signal output fromelectrodes 112 to a user's body,

Treatment selector switch 124 selects the particular mode of operationfor the biofeedback stimulation device. The selected treatment mode fromswitch 124 provides an indication to the microprocessor 104 of aparticular operating mode. The microprocessor 104 configures the pulsegenerator circuitry 126 to provide a desired pulse output configures thelight emitting circuitry 140 to the desired photonic radiation andconfigures the magnetic circuitry 144 to emit desired magnetic energyaccording to the selected mode of operation. A series of display LEDsand/or LCDs 128 provide a visual indication of the power level of thedevice, the mode of operation or other device status. Additionally, aspeaker 130 may be used to provide audible indicators to a user ofvarious operating conditions. Various visual and audible indications areprovided by the LEDs and LCDs 128 or the speaker 130. These instructionsinclude a mode indication, a power level indication, a battery powerindication, a sensor connection indication, a body response status, atime status, body measurement readings, USB interface status,instructional information, treatment status, or diagnosis information.The transformer circuit 122 is energized by signals from a pulsegenerator circuit 126

The output circuitry 114 is connected to and controlled by themicroprocessor 104 to generate output pulses in a stimulation signalthrough the electrodes 112. The output circuitry 114 also receivesfeedback signals from the electrodes 112 to control the operation of themicroprocessor 104. A transformer 122 generates a signal includingpackets of one or more pulses responsive to removal of an appliedcurrent from the transformer 122 controlled by the microprocessor 104.The transformer circuit 122 is energized by signals from a pulsegenerator circuit 126. The output pulses provided from the transformermay be clamped by damping circuitry 125. The various characteristics ofthe pulse generated by the pulse generator 126 are controlled responsiveto control inputs from the microprocessor 104. A detector circuit 132 isresponsible for detecting the zero crossing of the pulse signalsprovided at the electrodes 112. The time between the zero crossing areused by the microprocessor 104 to determine when the device may beremoved from the body. The sensor circuit 134 provides the measurementsfor the zero crossings.

A light sensor 140 detects and measures the reflectance from the bodytissues of a patient to which photonic radiation is being provided. Thecharacteristics of the reflectance may be used to provide information tothe microprocessor 104 such that the frequency and wavelength of lightbeing emitted by a light emitter 142 may be altered responsive to thedetected light reflectance. This feedback loop is designed such thatwhen the frequencies of light and/or wavelengths emitted by the lightemitter 142 cause physiological changes within the tissues of a patient,these physiological changes may then be reacted to based upon thechanged reflectance of these tissues detected by the light sensor 140.The light emitting circuitry 142 may be controlled by the microprocessor104 to emit light waves having various different waveforms, frequenciesand wavelengths. The light emitter 142 may be configured to emit thelight energy either through or around the electrode 112 in order toprovide additional therapeutic effects to the electrical stimulus thatis provided by the electrodes.

The light emitter 142 may comprise any number of light emitting sourcessuch as an LED, a laser, an electro luminescent fiber, wire or waveguide. An LED may be used to emit a particular range of frequencieswherein the frequencies of the light may have different characteristicson the body tissues of a patient. LEDs may emit light in the range frominvisible ultraviolet through infrared and above depending upon the typeof LED utilized. A laser may be used to emit a range of frequencies thatcover the entire spectrum of frequencies producible by lasers. Asdescribed previously, the light emitter 142 may be configured to emitlight in the area of the electrodes providing the electro stimulation toa patient's body or additionally may be administered by a separateelectro luminescent fiber, wire, or light guide to any other part of thebody. The light emitting circuit 142 may emit the light to the patientin a pattern that may or may not track the electro stimulation patternprovided by the electrodes 112.

The electrodes 112 may additionally be magnetic in nature and made fromrare earth magnets or other magnetically permeable combinations. Themagnetic electrodes may be magnetized by some type of magnetic circuitry144 including coils or a straight magnet. In this way, in addition tothe electrical stimulation signals and the light stimulation signalsapplied by the biometric feedback device, the patient may apply magnetictherapies to portions of their body. The magnetically applied signals tothe body of the user may be altered by control signals to the magneticcircuitry 144 by the microcontroller 104 in response to feedback signalsobtained from electromagnetic signals from the bodies detected throughthe electrodes or from signals provided by the light sensor 140.Magnetic sensors 146 may also be utilized to detect changes in themagnetic fields or emissions of the body having magnetic signals appliedthereto.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a schematic diagram of thetransformer circuitry 122, the pulse generator circuitry 126 and thedamping circuitry 125. A charging current is applied at input 202 toresistor 204. The charging current is provided from the level translatorcircuit 270 (FIG. 2 a) under control of the microprocessor 104. Thecharging current provides energy to a transformer 206 for generating thestimulation signal. Resistor 204 is also connected to node 208. An anodeof diode 210 is connected to node 208 and the cathode of diode 210 isconnected to V_(Batt). A resistor 212 is connected between V_(Batt) andnode 208. The base of transistor 214 is connected to node 208 and theemitter-collector path of transistor 214 is connected between node 216and node 218. A diode 220 has its anode connected to V_(Batt) and itscathode connected to node 216. A diode 222 has its anode connected tonode 218 and its cathode connected to a center tap 224 of transformer206. One side of transformer 206 is connected to ground, and theopposite side of transformer 206 is connected to node 226. When acharging current is applied to node 202, transistor 214 is turned oncausing a current to be applied to the center tap 224 of transformer 206by the pulse generator circuitry 126 and begin energizing thetransformer.

A resistor 228 is connected between node 226 and node 230. In thepreferred embodiment, the resistor 228 has a value of 150 kilo ohms. Acapacitor 232 is in parallel with resistor 228 between nodes 226 and230. In a preferred embodiment, the capacitor 232 has a value of 500picofarads. This capacitor can eliminate the need for the damping device246 discussed below by limiting the amplitude of pulses generated by thetransformer 206. A resistor 234 is connected between node 230 andground. Sensor one output 236 is connected to node 226. Sensor twooutput 238 is connected to node 230. An external sensor 240 is connectedbetween node 226 and node 230. The transformer circuitry 122 isinterconnected with the damping circuitry 125 via a capacitor 242. Thecapacitor 242 is located between the center tap 224 and node 244 of thedamping circuitry 125.

The damping circuitry 125 includes a clamping device 246 located betweennode 244 and node 226. The clamping device 246 prevents the pulsesgenerated when the current is released from the transformer 206 fromexceeding a particular amplitude. In a preferred embodiment, theclamping device 246 comprises a bidirectional rectifying diode. Theremaining portion of the pulse generator circuitry 126 consists of atransformer shunt enabling the load applied across the transformer 206to be adjusted by switching a resistances into and out of the loadapplied to the transformer 206. The transformer shunt consists of threerelays 250 which switch a resistor load 254 into and out of the circuit.Each relay 250 has four connections. A first connection is connected toa resistor 252 that is also connected to the system voltage. The relays250 have a second connection to a load resistor 254 connected betweenthe relay and node 226. Another connection of the relay 250 is connectedto control inputs 256 from the microprocessor 104. A light emittingdiode 258 is connected between the connection to resistor 252 and theinput connected to the control input 256. The light emitting diode 258,when lit actuates a pair of photo sensitive transistors 260 connectedbetween third and fourth inputs of the relay 250. When a control signalis applied to input 256 of one of the relays 250, the light emittingdiode 258 causes the actuation of the photo sensitive transistor pair260 which switches the resistor 254 of the transformer shunt across thetransformer 206. As can be seen, there are three relays 250 enablingeight different combinations of the resistors 254 to be switched acrossthe transformer 206 responsive to control signals applied to lines 256 athrough 256 c. Using these various combinations of relays 250, themicroprocessor 104 controls the shape and configuration of the packet ofpulses output by the transformer in a number of fashions which will bediscussed more fully herein below such that the stimulation signal maybe configured in a number of desired modes responsive to user inputs.While only three relays 250 are described with respect to the presentembodiment, any number of relays 250 may be used.

FIG. 2 a illustrates the level translator circuit 270 for generating thetransformer charging signal on line 202. The transformer charging signalis generated by the level translator 270 responsive to control inputs304 and 306 applied to first and second inputs of a NAND gate 274. Theoutput of the NAND gate 274 is provided to three separate inputs of thelevel translator 270. A resistor 276 is connected between the input ofNAND gate 274 connected to control input 304 and ground. An audiospeaker 272 is connected to receive an audio signal from the leveltranslator circuit 270 on line 278 responsive to a control input 308from the microcontroller 104.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 a-3 b, there is illustrated the microprocessor104 for controlling the biofeedback stimulation device described herein.The microprocessor 104 provides three control outputs 256 forcontrolling the transformer shunt relays 250 described previously. Asdescribed herein above, these signals enable the control of theconfiguration of the pulse packages generated from the transformer 206.Control outputs 304, 306 and 308 provide control signals to the leveltranslator 270 to control the provision of the transformer chargingsignal on output 202 responsive to control signals 304 and 306 and tocontrol the audio output to speaker 272 via control output 308. An LEDcircuit 320 receives a number of control outputs 322 from themicroprocessor 104 to provide various visual indicators to the user ofthe biofeedback stimulation device.

Control input 312 receives an input control signal from the detectormodule 132 as described in FIG. 4. The detector module 132 isresponsible for determining the number of zero crossings for pulsesignals generated within signal packets provided by the transformer 206.The input 404 of the detector module 132 is connected to node 226 on oneside of the transformer 206 through capacitor 296 and resistor 298. Theinput 404 is connected to node 406 of the detector 132. A resistor 408is connected between node 406 and system power. A second resistor 410 isconnected between node 406 and system ground. A capacitor 412 is inparallel with resistor 410 between node 406 and ground. A first input ofNAND gate 414 is connected to node 406. The second input of NAND gate414 is connected to system power. The output of NAND gate 414 isconnected to a first input of NAND gate 416. The second input of NANDgate 416 is connected to system power. The output of NAND gate 416 isconnected to control input 312 from the microprocessor 104. A resistor418 is connected between the input of NAND gate 414 connected to node406 and to the output of NAND gate 416. Control inputs 314 and 316 areconnected to a battery sensor circuit.

The processor may use the control signals to control a number ofprocesses within the device. The processor may control the amount ofdamping applied to each pulse. The processor may also control thestimulation pulse applied by the pulse generator to the transformer andthe power or pulse width of the stimulation pulse. The processor mayalso control the frequency and wavelength of the photonic and magneticradiation that are applied. Control signals may also be generatedresponsive to the analysis of patterns in a response signal from thebody and altered in real time. The altered control signals may generatea pulse that drives the response from the body to a desired outcome. Theanalysis may also be communicated to the user or a data collectionapparatus along with any derived information.

The generation of control signals by the microprocessor 104 is morefully described with respect to the flow diagram illustrated in FIG. 5.Initially, at step 502, the microprocessor 104 determines the selectedmode of operation of the biofeedback stimulation device responsive toinputs received from the treatment mode selection switch 124 and thepower level selection switch 120. From the selected mode and powerlevel, the microprocessor 104 determines the appropriate control signalsto be applied to the relays 250 of the damping circuitry 125 and to thelight emitting circuitry 142 and magnetic circuitry 144 and appliesthese control signals at step 504. The microprocessor 104 alsodetermines and applies at step 506 the appropriate control signals 125to charge the transformer 206 via the level translator 270. This isaccomplished by applying the appropriate control signals at step 506 tothe level translator circuit 270. The control signals are continuouslyapplied to the transformer 206, to the light emitter 142 and/or magneticcircuitry 144 at step 506 until inquiry step 508 determines a releasepoint has been received responsive to the applied control signals fromthe microprocessor 104.

Once inquiry step 508 determines to release either of the controlsignals applied to the transformer 206, the light emitter 142, or themagnetic circuitry 144, the microprocessor modifies the control signalsapplied to the transformer shunt and to the light emitting circuitry 142at step 509 to modify the electrical light and magnetic stimulationsignals as desired. In some embodiments, the control signals applied mayremain constant and the control signals will not be modified at step509. The microprocessor 104 next monitors the feedback provided from theelectrodes 112 that are providing the electronic stimulation signal tothe body of a user and from the light sensor 140 detecting the lightreflectance from the body of a user. The specifics of feedback detectionwill be more fully discussed with respect to FIG. 6. Inquiry step 512determines if the feedback received by the microprocessor has remainedconstant for a selected period of time. If not, the microprocessorcontinues to detect the feedback at step 510. Once inquiry step 512determines that the feedback is constant for a selected period of time,some type of notification is provided at step 514 to the user of thebiofeedback stimulation device. This notification may take the form ofan audio indicator such as a beep played through speaker 272 or sometype of visual indicator through one of the LEDs or LCD displays 128.The microprocessor 104 monitors for a shut down indication by the userpowering off the device at inquiry step 516. Inquiry step 516 continuesto monitor for some type of shut down signal until it is received. Uponreceipt of a shut down signal, the microprocessor turns off the deviceat step 518.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated the manner in which themicroprocessor 104 monitors the feedback from the electrodes 112 whichare applying the electronic stimulation signal to an individual's bodyand detecting feedback from the body. The feedback determined by themicroprocessor 104 comprises a determination of the time between zerocrossings of the electronic stimulation signal. The time between thezero crossings of the pulses will alter based upon the resistanceprovided by the body to which the device has been attached. As theresistance in a person's body decreases, the time between zero crossingsof the pulses of a packet will alter. Once the resistance is steady, thetime between zero crossings of the pulses will remain constant and thetreatment regimen may be stopped.

Once the time between the zero crossings of pulses is determined at step602, this time value is stored within a memory associated with themicroprocessor 104 at step 604. Inquiry step 606 determines if a countvalue is equal to a predetermined value that is used for averaging anumber of time values. If not, control passes back to step 602. Once theappropriate number of time values have been stored and count is equal tothe preselected value at inquiry step 606, the average time between thezero crossings of pulses may be determined at step 608. This value maybe compared with a previously determined value at inquiry step 610 todetermine if the determined average time value is constant. If thedetermined average time value is not constant, count is reset to zero atstep 612 and control passes back to step 602. If it is determined thatthe stored time value is constant with a previously stored time value,inquiry step 614 determines if the successive number of average timevalues have been constant for a selected period Y. If not, count isreset to zero and control returns to step 602. Once the average timevalues have been constant for a selected period of time as determined atinquiry step 614, an indicator is generated to the user indicating thedevice may be shut down at step 616. In an alternative embodiment, theindicator could cause the device to automatically shut down rather thanwaiting for a user provided shut down signal.

The microprocessor may further make adjustments in the control signalsapplied to the light emitter circuitry 142 responsive to the signalsdetected by the light sensor 142. As described previously, responsive todetections of changes in the reflectance of light from the body tissues,the waveforms and wavelengths applied by the light emitter 142 may bealtered to achieve different therapeutic results.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the control values provided to the transformershunt circuitry to the light emitting circuitry 142 and to the magneticcircuitry 144 may be used to configure packets 702 of pulses 704 whichare transmitted in an electronic, light or magnetic stimulation signal706. Using the control signals, the packets 702 of pulses 704 arecontrolled in a number of manners. In one embodiment, a time t₁ betweena first packet 702 a and a second packet 702 b may be controlled usingthe control signals applied to the level translator circuit 270 m lightemitter 142 and magnetic circuitry 144. The time t₁ may be variedbetween adjacent packets or held constant. The microprocessor 104 mayalso control the number of pulses 710 located within a particular packet702. The number of pulses 710 may be randomly varied between packets,gradually increased/decreased between packets or maintained constant.The size of the packet 702 may be extended or reduced by altering thenumber of pulses 704 within a packet 702 through use of the appliedcontrol signals to the pulse generation circuitry 126, light emitter142. and magnetic circuitry 144. The pulses may be varied from anynumber from 1-n. Within the stimulation signal the size of packets 702may be varied or constant.

The microprocessor 104 may also control the time t₂ between adjacentpulses 704 of a packet 702. This would be an alternative way forincreasing or decreasing the size of a particular packet 702 by alteringthe time t₂ between pulses 204 rather than changing the number of pulsesper packet 710 as described previously. The time t₂ may also be variedin any number of desired fashions. The time t₂ between pulses may alsobe controlled using the control signals to the pulse generationcircuitry 126. Additionally, the pulses 704 may be damped such that theamplitude 714 may be increased or decreased to change the magnitude ofthe pulses 704 provided within the electronic stimulation signal 706.The amplitude 714 is also controlled through the damping circuitry 125and may be done with a combination of the relays 250 in the dampingcircuitry 125, the light emitter 142 and the magnetic circuitry 144.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 a through 8 d, there are illustrated a numberof pulse waveforms that illustrate the variety of outputs that may beachieved from the biofeedback stimulation device described herein above.While the creation of electronic pulses are described, similar light andmagnetic wavelengths may be created. FIG. 8 a illustrates a first pulsewherein the charging signal has been applied for a medium amount of timeand released from application to the transformer at point 802. Theoutput of the transformer begins the fly back oscillation mode creatingthe oscillations in the positive and negative directions with a steadilydecreasing magnitude for the oscillation. The time period that thecharging signal is applied between 804 and 802 controls the amplitude ofthe modulations of the output. By varying the release point 802, theamplitude of the output pulse may be increased or decreased. A situationwherein the amplitude of the output pulse is decreased is illustrated inFIG. 8 b. In this figure, the charging time is held between points 804and point 805. Due to the shorter magnitude of the application of thecharging signal, the amplitude of the oscillation of the output signalbetween 806 and 808 is decreased. Referring now to FIG. 8 c, there isillustrated a situation wherein the charging signal is applied betweenpoints 804 and 810 for a longer period of time, causing the amplitude ofthe output pulse to increase.

In addition to controlling the amplitude of the output by controllingthe release point of the charging signal to the transformer, the dampingcircuit may be used to control the output pulse in the mannerillustrated in FIG. 8 d. In this case, the charging signal is appliedbetween points 804 and 812. In this case, the output signal generates asingle oscillation 814 in the negative direction that then approacheszero rather than oscillating in the positive direction. This may beachieved by applying the appropriate load across the output of thetransformer using the damping circuitry 125.

Therefore, using the above-described device, a user may strategicallyapply an electronic light and magnetic stimulation signal to specificparts of their body and by the use of mode selection buttons, maycontrol the configuration of the packets of pulses applied to theirbody. The pulses may be adjusted in any of the fashions discussed hereinabove.

Utilizing the above described circuitry, varying combinations ofelectrical stimulation, light stimulation and magnetic stimulation maybe applied to a patient's body to achieve therapeutic effects associatedwith the application of these various energies to the body. Theapplication of the various energies may be done in any combinationwherein only one or a combination of the energies can be applied to thebody at any particular time to achieve differing therapeutic effects.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure that this invention provides a biofeedback stimulationdevice. It should be understood that the drawings and detaileddescription herein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than arestrictive manner, and are not intended to limit the invention to theparticular forms and examples disclosed. On the contrary, the inventionincludes any further modifications, changes, rearrangements,substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments apparent tothose of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spiritand scope of this invention, as defined by the following claims. Thus,it is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace allsuch further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions,alternatives, design choices, and embodiments.

1. A biofeedback stimulation device, comprising: a user interface forproviding at least one input signal; a processor for generating at leastone control signal responsive to the at least one input signal; andcircuitry enabling an application of both an electrical stimulationsignal and a light stimulation signal to a body of an individual,wherein the application of the electrical stimulation signal and thelight stimulation signal are controlled by the at least one controlsignal.
 2. The biofeedback stimulation device of claim 1, wherein thecircuitry further also enables an application of a magnetic stimulationsignal to the body of the individual, wherein the magnetic stimulationsignal is controlled by the at least one control signal.
 3. Thebiofeedback stimulation device of claim 1, wherein the circuitry furthercomprises: first circuitry for generating and detecting the electricalstimulation signal; and second circuitry for generating and detectingthe light stimulation signal.
 4. The biofeedback stimulation device ofclaim 2, wherein the second circuitry further comprises: light emittercircuitry for generating photonic radiation for application to the bodyof the individual as the light stimulation signal responsive to a firstcontrol signal of the at least one control signal; and light sensorcircuitry for detecting reflectance from the body of the individual andgenerating a feedback signal responsive thereto.
 5. The biofeedbackstimulation device of claim 4, wherein the processor generates the firstcontrol signal responsive to the feedback signal.
 6. The biofeedbackstimulation device of claim 4, wherein the light emitter circuitrycomprises an LED.
 7. The biofeedback stimulation device of claim 4,wherein the light emitter circuitry comprises a laser.
 8. Thebiofeedback stimulation device of claim 4, wherein the light emittercircuitry further includes at least one of an electroluminescent fiber,wire or light guide.
 9. The biofeedback stimulation device of claim 4,wherein the light emitter circuitry generates photonic radiation at oneof a plurality of wavelengths and one of a plurality frequenciesresponsive to the first control signal.
 10. The biofeedback stimulationdevice of claim 4, wherein the first circuitry further includeselectrodes for applying the electric stimulation signal.
 11. Thebiofeedback stimulation device of claim 10, wherein the light emittingcircuitry emits light from the electrode.
 12. The biofeedbackstimulation device of claim 11, wherein the light emitting circuitryemits light from around the electrode.
 13. A biofeedback stimulationdevice, comprising: a user interface for providing at least one inputsignal; a processor for generating at least one control signalresponsive to the at least one input signal; first circuitry forgenerating and detecting an electrical stimulation signal; secondcircuitry for generating and detecting a light stimulation signal, saidsecond circuitry comprising: light emitter circuitry for generatingphotonic radiation for application to the body of the individual as thelight stimulation signal responsive to a first control signal of the atleast one control signal; and light sensor circuitry for detectingreflectance from the body of the individual and generating a feedbacksignal responsive thereto; wherein the electrical stimulation signal andthe light stimulation signal are selectively applied to a body of a userresponsive to the at least one control signal and may be applied. 14.The biofeedback stimulation device of claim 13, further including thirdcircuitry further also enabling a selective application of a magneticstimulation signal to the body of the individual responsive to the atleast one control signal.
 15. The biofeedback stimulation device ofclaim 13, wherein the processor generates the first control signalresponsive to the feedback signal.
 16. The biofeedback stimulationdevice of claim 13, wherein the light emitter circuitry comprises anLED.
 17. The biofeedback stimulation device of claim 13 wherein thelight emitter circuitry comprises a laser.
 18. The biofeedbackstimulation device of claim 13, wherein the light emitter circuitryfurther includes at least one of an electroluminescent fiber, wire orlight guide.
 19. The biofeedback stimulation device of claim 13, whereinthe light emitter circuitry generates photonic radiation at one of aplurality of wavelengths and one of a plurality frequencies responsiveto the first control signal.
 20. The biofeedback stimulation device ofclaim 13, wherein the first circuitry further includes electrodes forapplying the electric stimulation signal.
 21. The biofeedbackstimulation device of claim 20, wherein the light emitting circuitryemits light from the electrode.
 22. The biofeedback stimulation deviceof claim 20, wherein the light emitting circuitry emits light fromaround the electrode.